In December a 12-member public safety commission convened by Gov. Kitzhaber delivered its final report, which is expected to impact budget decisions in the current legislative session. The report zeroed in on the Department of Corrections and recommended sentence reductions and cost-effective alternatives to incarceration. The goal is to reduce the state’s rising prison population and prevent an estimated $600 million increase in costs over the next 10 years.
BY BRANDON SAWYER
In December a 12-member public safety commission convened by Gov. Kitzhaber delivered its final report, which is expected to impact budget decisions in the current legislative session. The report zeroed in on the Department of Corrections and recommended sentence reductions and cost-effective alternatives to incarceration. The goal is to reduce the state’s rising prison population and prevent an estimated $600 million increase in costs over the next 10 years.
5,841: Oregon prison population in 1990
14,234: Oregon prison population in 2012
+36%: Change in Oregon’s total population 2000-2012
+144%: Change in Oregon’s prison population 2000-2012
502: U.S. persons per 100,000 in prison
+69%: Change since 1990
373: Oregon persons per 100,000 in prison
+67%: Change since 1990
$1.4B: Oregon Dept. of Corrections 2011-2013 budget
47%: Share of public safety budget
2%: Share of total state budget
-14%: Change from 2009-2011 budget
